Wyoming High School Pre-Season Coaches/Media Rankings 2017 [POLL]

The players and teams will decide which is #1 in the post-season, but it's the coaches and the media who decide in the pre-season.

The 4A Champs and Runner-Ups from 2016, are the top 2 teams in 2017. Sheridan received all but 1 first place vote to claim #1, while Natrona got the other one and place #2. In their first year of existence, Thunder Basin debuts at #3. Cheyenne East will start the season at #4, while Kelly Walsh claims the #5 spot, by 1 vote ahead of Rock Springs. If the rankings hold for most of the season, Natrona will have the tough test of playing both Sheridan and Thunder Basin on the road. The one team that is missing from the 4A rankings, is regular resident Campbell County, who received zero votes in the pre-season.

The 2-time defending state champs in 3A once again have the bulls-eye on their back. Star Valley is the overwhelming #1 team to start the 2017 season. Green River is #2, and Torrington is #3. State Runner-Up Powell is #4, and start the regular season with a conference game vs. Worland, since there's now an odd number of teams in the West, with Evanston joining. Douglas rounds out the top 5 at #5.

Things should get off to a great start in 2A, provided the rankings hold true. Glenrock is #1 by 1 vote ahead of #2 Greybull. It matters little, because the 2 teams start the 2017 regular season vs. each other at Greybull. Last year's west champ Mountain View will start the season at #3, and Newcastle, the team that upset the Buffalo's last year in the first round is #4. The final spot in the top 5 goes to Wheatland, who will face a tough challenge to start the season, with 3 3A opponents on the schedule, including at #3 Torrington and home vs. #5 Douglas.

1A should be very interesting in 2017, now that last year's 2A champs (Big Horn) have joined. The Rams start the pre-season at #2, behind regular power Cokeville. Defending champ Pine Bluffs is not far behind at #3, and neither is Upton-Sundance at #4. Rocky Mountain rounds out the rankings. BH wlll have a challenge to start the season, hosting the Grizzlies, and then the Hornets, 2 weeks later. Tongue River, the 2-time 1A State Runner-Ups did not receive a vote to start the 2017 season.

Despite a very recent change in coaching, the voters believe 2-time defending champ Kaycee still has enough fire-power, to be labeled as a very serious threat in 6-man. The unanimous #1 Buckaroos, have the longest active winning streak in the state at 20. Last year's runner-up Farson-Eden is ranked #2, and will try again to win their first title ever, but the first test is their way, is a home game vs. #4 Guernsey-Sunrise. #3 Little Snake River could have a very good challenge to start 2017, opening up at Lingle-Ft. Laramie. Unlike last year, the Doggers are now playoff eligible, which means they are more motivated. Burlington could be a contender as well. The Huskies are ranked #5.